
1200 West University Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301-4398, USA


Dakota Wesleyan University provides a variety of athletic programs that cater to a range of interests and talents. The university competes primarily in the NAIA and is a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, offering student-athletes competitive opportunities across numerous sports. Both men's and women's teams are available, including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track and field. Additionally, the university supports men's baseball and football as well as women's softball and volleyball. This diverse athletics program aims to foster teamwork, discipline, and school spirit among students, combining competitive play with academic commitments.
Students at Dakota Wesleyan University have the opportunity to engage with a variety of organizations that support both academic and personal growth. These include the Future Teachers Organization, which is ideal for those pursuing education careers, and the Student Nurses Association, catering to individuals interested in the nursing profession. The university also hosts the Multi-Culture Club, providing a space for cultural exchange and diversity, alongside the Human Services Club, which focuses on community support and social work. Additionally, the Student Ministry Council offers students a platform for involvement in ministry-related activities.
At Dakota Wesleyan University, the student body includes a mix of freshmen and transfer students, with 184 freshmen and 57 transfers enrolled, totaling 241 new students in the most recent data. This enrollment size places the university in the lower 35th percentile nationally, indicating a relatively small intake compared to many other institutions.
The age distribution among undergraduate students reveals a predominantly young population, with most falling between 18 and 21 years old. Specifically, 267 undergraduates are aged 18 to 19, and 240 are between 20 and 21 years old. There is also a notable presence of adult learners, with students aged 22 to 49 spanning several age groups, including 99 aged 22 to 24 and smaller numbers up to age 49. Graduate students tend to be older, with significant numbers between 40 and 64 years of age.
Dakota Wesleyan University exhibits a moderate level of racial and ethnic diversity. The largest group is white students, numbering 530, but other racial groups are also represented, including 60 Hispanic students, 11 African American students, 10 Native American students, and 4 Asian students. Additional categories include 29 students identifying with two or more races and a small number of students marked as unknown.
Student life at Dakota Wesleyan University offers a range of cultural and wellness opportunities despite its relatively small enrollment of 886 students, placing it in the lower 30% nationally in terms of size. The university supports creative expression through activities like campus drama and chorus, providing outlets for students interested in the performing arts. A campus newspaper also contributes to an active student media environment, though there is no campus radio or TV station available.
The campus community benefits from health services including a health clinic and psychological counseling, emphasizing student well-being. While there is no woman's center or legal services on campus, available resources reflect a commitment to supporting student health. With a student-faculty ratio of 12: 1, students can expect relatively personalized academic engagement.
Athletically, Dakota Wesleyan University is a member of the NAIA, offering students opportunities to participate in competitive sports within this association. The campus life environment, although modest in size and international diversity, aims to balance academic focus with cultural and health amenities to support a well-rounded university experience.
Dakota Wesleyan University offers students access to two libraries, a quantity that ranks it within the top half of institutions nationwide for library availability. The principal facility on campus is the George and Eleanor McGovern Library, supported by one additional library resource. Together, these libraries maintain an average level of physical collections with approximately 64,224 books, positioning the university in the lower 40% compared to peer institutions. Digital resources are also present, though on a modest scale, with around 290 subscriptions and 116,612 digital subscriptions-both figures reflecting below-average availability. The e-book collection is limited, containing about 263,862 titles, which places it in the bottom 30% of institutions surveyed. Dakota Wesleyan's libraries provide access to 63 databases, an average offering that remains slightly below the median range for similar universities. Despite these measurements, students benefit from the presence of physical facilities, digital access, established operating hours, trained staff, and shared collections access, all of which support academic needs and study activities.
Total enrollment
886Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
184Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
144 full time, 54 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
George and Eleanor McGovern LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes